HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSJM 8019

BYSenate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Metcalf, DeJarnatt, Anderson, Conner and von Reichbauer) 

Requesting curtailment of the foreign catch of Washington-produced salmon.

House Committe on Natural Resources

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (19)

      Signed by Representatives Sutherland, Chair; K. Wilson, Vice Chair; Amondson, Basich, Beck, Belcher, Bumgarner, Butterfield, Cole, Dorn, Fuhrman, Hargrove, Haugen, Meyers, Sayan, Schmidt, C. Smith, Spanel and S. Wilson.

House Staff:Robert Butts (786-7841)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES FEBRUARY 25, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Two types of fishing operations involving foreign vessels have been conducted off Washington's shores since passage of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act in 1977: the foreign trawl fishery in which fish are both caught and processed by foreign vessels, and the joint venture fishery in which U.S. trawlers deliver their catch to foreign processing vessels.

The needs of the U.S. fishing industry is given first priority in allocating bottomfish, and in general, foreign processors and fishing boats are allocated what is not needed by U.S. processors and fishermen.

Pacific whiting, also known as hake, is the only species that has consistently been available to foreign fishermen and processors.

When the foreign and joint venture trawlers fish for hake, they also intercept other species of fish, including salmon.  By law, salmon that are caught by joint venture and foreign fishermen must be returned to the ocean.  Estimated mortality of salmon returned to the ocean ranges between 50 percent and 100 percent.

According to National Marine Fishery data, in 1986 approximately 10,000 salmon (75 percent chinook) were intercepted by foreign trawlers, and 27,000 salmon (90 percent chinook) by joint venture trawlers.

In late 1986, the Pacific Fisheries Management Council notified the joint venture fishery that the incidental take of salmon had to be reduced.  In response, the joint venture companies developed salmon avoidance plans.  The incidental take of salmon by joint venture and foreign fisheries in 1987 was approximately one-third of the take in 1986.

SUMMARY:

Congress is requested to direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Pacific Fisheries Management Council to halt foreign fishing operations that harvest salmon within U.S. waters.  Congress also is asked to ensure that funds and a clear mandate are provided to enforce the requested prohibition.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Ray Nelson, commercial fisherman; Steve Arbaugh, Puget Sound Gillnetters Association; and Kahler Martinson, Department of Fisheries.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    These foreign fishing operations are intercepting salmon that should go to Washington fishermen.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.